Jose Aldo Is One Of The Greatest Fighters But It Seems 2019 Will Be His Last Year As A Professional MMA Athlete
Jose Aldo is the former UFC and WEC Featherweight champion, and one of the most dominant names in the history of mixed martial arts. At the moment, he is set to meet Renato Moicano at UFC Fortaleza, on February 2, 2019. But it looks like he’ll hang up his gloves soon.
On Wednesday afternoon, Jose Aldo spoke about his future MMA plans. Actually, “Scarface” has three more fights left under his UFC contract. He wants to end his fighting career in Brazil! (h/t MMAFighting.com)
“I want to end my career here in Brazil. That’s what we have planned,” Aldo said during a UFC media day in Rio de Janeiro. “I want to do these three fights… I’ll fight in Fortaleza now, and I’m already negotiating my next one for May (UFC 237), if I’m not mistaken in Curitiba, and then finish it in the second semester, which I know will have another event in Brazil.”
Jose’s coach and manager Andre Pederneiras says UFC was asked to allow Aldo to complete last three bouts of his contract in Brazil.
“We asked them to complete Aldo’s contract fighting in Brazil so he could give the final three fights of his career to the Brazilian fans here,” Pederneiras told the media. “That’s his will, that’s what he asked Dana (White), and apparently that’s what’s going to happen.”
Andre Pederneiras was also asked whether Aldo would fight at UFC 237 in Lightweight division. He joked, claiming it could be “in any weight class”.
Aldo’s coach believes there is no chance UFC would book “Scarface” versus the current Featherweight champion Max Holloway, especially because of Aldo’s UFC 212 and UFC 218 losses to “Blessed”.
Despite Aldo doesn’t want to go for a title shot, he believes he’d give a hard time to everybody who fights him.
”There’s no reason to get here and aim for a title fight,” Aldo said, “But you can be sure that I’ll be a problem for whoever gets in front of me because I will win these three fights. You can be sure of this.”
Jose Aldo also adds he won’t participate in other MMA promotions because he is loyal to UFC. Aldo plans to enjoy life and have a great time with his family when he finishes his career.
”I want to finish (my career) well and be healthy as well,” Aldo said. “One thing I said in my last fight is that I want to (retire) tomorrow and not use my money to buy my health back. Today I give away my health to make my money, so I won’t do that.
”I want to enjoy my daughter, my wife, be able to travel, without fighting until I’m 40. I see our great idols doing that and having bad performances… I always tell ‘Dede’ (Pederneiras), if one day I’m not in my rhythm in terms of performance, take me out of there because it’s not for me to be in there anymore. I don’t want to fight for money. I’ve planned my entire life so I could stop (fighting) without any problem.”
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Jose Aldo might change his mind?
